New business inquiries directed to EDC, which will work closely with city staff By David Webb Monitor Correspondent GUN BARREL CITY–The Gun Barrel City Council gave the Economic Development Corp. the responsibility of negotiating with new businesses following a lengthy debate Tuesday. The council approved a motion by Councilwoman Carol Calkins that City Manager Gerry […]

By Erik Walsh Monitor Sports Editor FORNEY–Mabank fans turned out in droves at the Forney High School gym Feb. 24, helping the first-seed Panthers basketball team defeat the fourth-seed Rains Wildcats 62-56 in the bi-district round of the playoffs. The Panthers had to deal with the difficult challenge of playing the majority of the game […]

Special to The Monitor PINNACLE CLUB–The Cedar Creek Lake community supported this year’s Pinnacle Women’s Club Garage Sale which enabled them to give donations to many organizations with their philanthropic endeavors. Organizations receiving donations at the January meeting included the Family Peace Project, Disciples Clinic of Athens and Faith In Action Outreach. The Family Peace […]

Mabank boys challenge top Texas 3A team

By Erik Walsh
Monitor Staff Writer
MABANK–The Mabank Panthers got a worthy challenge from one of the top 3A high school basketball teams in Texas Nov. 25 when the visiting Kennedale Wildcats came into town.
The Panthers were originally scheduled to face the Malakoff Tigers, but the Tigers are still competing in thefootball playoffs.
Kennedale obliged and gave the Panthers a taste of high-level competitive basketball, defeating them 82-53. The Wildcats, currently ranked fifth among Texas 3A teams, have two Division I college recruits on their roster.
The Panthers record drops to 2-2. Despite the lopsided defeat, Panthers’ head coach Tracy Carter pulled many positives from the game.
“I was very proud of our offensive output in the second quarter,” Carter said.
Mabank outscored the athletically superior team 15-11 in the second quarter, keeping the game close.
“Kennedale’s speed and quickness were a challenge for us. We are still in the learning stages for our team that overall is very inexperienced. It was good for the kids to compete against a team of that caliber,” he said.
Kenndale got out of the gate quick, scoring 22 points in the first quarter to Mabank’s 11.
The second quarter was easily the Panthers’ strongest, outscoring the Wildcats 15-11 to make it a 33-26 Kennedale lead at the half.
The Wildcats came out strong again in the third quarter, raining down a barrage of three-point shots, nailing five of their nine attempts and outscored the Panthers 29-10.
The Panthers fourth quarter was much stronger defensively, holding Kenndale to 20 points and scoring 17.
Panther scorers included: Cole Smith 4, Adam Penix 3, Parker Johannesen 11, Joseph Parry 2, Cody Thompson 8, Mark Foster 11, Dalton Burleson 3, Andrew Parry 2 and Austin Miller 8.
Boys varsity basketball resumes at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 at home against North Forney.